Age discrimination 'costs us billions'

A reluctance by employers to hire ageing baby boomers is costing the nation billions of dollars each year, Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan reckons.

Ms Ryan, a pre baby-boomer, has launched a survey that aims to provide a detailed picture of age discrimination from both perpetrators and those who experience it.

"My guess is it will signal an urgent and massive challenge for all of us," she told the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Ms Ryan has also called on governments, industry and TAFE to co-develop a system in which Australians approaching 50 and older have regular routine career check-ups to prevent future unemployment.

A well-targeted career redirection at 50 could set a person up for another 20 years of work, she said.

"This is especially relevant to workers in declining industries such as car manufacturing or print and TV journalism."

Ms Ryan conceded the plan would require both a substantial communications effort and a significant investment.

But the long-term benefits could add billions to the economy's bottom line.

Modelling for the Australian Human Rights Commission suggested a further three per cent increase in forecasted workforce participation among workers aged 55 and over would contribute an extra $33 billion to the nation's gross domestic product.

"The longer that mature Australians participate in the work force, the longer they pay taxes," Ms Ryan said.